Where Is Everyone?

[FlyFishinFool]

I see people fishing Zone 1 all the time across from the Gauge house and using soft plastics and Power Bait. The CA's just need to get off of their duffs and walk around instead of just driving through. The budget cuts have probably stretched those guys pretty thin but that doesn't mean that the job they do while there should be less than thorough. I'm not sure that the people using the wrong stuff really have any idea what is right or wrong though. its not my job to see if they do either.

I was just down at BSSP for a few days last week - found out they have been assigned a permanent Conservation Agent. In fact, he has been allocated living quarters right on the park grounds. He has been working the park multiple times every day, even with the lighter crowds. I personally saw him cruising several times a day, and I talked to 2 people who watched him issuing tickets for not having stringers tagged with name & address when they were not attached directly to the fisherman. Hopefully he will start asking to see what people are fishing in Zone-1 and even in Zone-2. Just need to send all the bait/soft-lure people down to Zone-3 and take the licenses away from the cheaters!

[Bob A]

I was just down at BSSP for a few days last week - found out they have been assigned a permanent Conservation Agent. In fact, he has been allocated living quarters right on the park grounds. He has been working the park multiple times every day, even with the lighter crowds. I personally saw him cruising several times a day, and I talked to 2 people who watched him issuing tickets for not having stringers tagged with name & address when they were not attached directly to the fisherman. Hopefully he will start asking to see what people are fishing in Zone-1 and even in Zone-2. Just need to send all the bait/soft-lure people down to Zone-3 and take the licenses away from the cheaters!

Personally, think it's great having a CA dedicated to BSSP. Something I've wanted to see for a long time...BUT....know there are a few who will find some reason to object to keeping folks "legal". (Can't imagine why.) Wish all our trout parks could or would have a resident CA. A big welcome to him!

Bob A, Springfield

[Bob A]

OK...back up time! Spent some time at Bennett today and park staff told me that there was NOT a CA placed at Bennett with quarters there as reported earlier. Information I got was that it was a new Park Ranger and not a CA.

Seems as if somebody got some bad information. Proves if something sounds too good to be true, it usually is.

Bob A, Sprinfield

[NoLuck]

OK...back up time! Spent some time at Bennett today and park staff told me that there was NOT a CA placed at Bennett with quarters there as reported earlier. Information I got was that it was a new Park Ranger and not a CA.

Seems as if somebody got some bad information. Proves if something sounds too good to be true, it usually is.

Bob A, Sprinfield

Well I hoped that your previous news was true, but I hadn't heard anything about that. I don't think that a PR can write up wildlife code violations.

[stlfisher]

I met the new park ranger last weekend. He stopped by our cabin twice to say hi and we chatted with him for awhile. I don't believe he can write up wildlife codes, but seemed like a good guy. I don't think I have ever seen an agent at Bennett. I am sure they are there, but I have not seen one that I can recall.

[FlyFishinFool]

My apologies, I used the wrong terminology. The new person assigned to the park is a "Ranger" and not a "Conservation Officer". The new Ranger has been assigned living quarters on the Niangua River end of the park. The folks I talked to who watched the activity said the Ranger did write tickets (possibly they were warnings?) for people not having their stringers tagged. I do know that the store staff have been warning folks that the stringer rules are being enforced and tickets have been written. Bottom line, I do not know what all the differences are between a wildlife code violation and a park rules violation, but I certainly hope the new Ranger can enforce all the rules so everyone has an equal opportunity to fish.

FYI - I know there are Conservation Officers in the park, at least occassionally, as I saw one late last year, in a uniform, cruise through the park in a green pickup/SUV, with lights and attennas that were visible from the stream. About 2 years ago I talked to a Park Ranger in a truck who was observing individuals in the stream with binoculars. When I asked him if he was observing folks cheating on the limits, he said he already had a couple of folks identified who were using the prior day's tags, and he would wait until they came out of the stream before writing them up. So again, I am not sure of the difference between a Ranger and a CO/CA in writing tickets, but personally I think a bit more enforcement would be a good thing.

[stlfisher]

My apologies, I used the wrong terminology. The new person assigned to the park is a "Ranger" and not a "Conservation Officer". The new Ranger has been assigned living quarters on the Niangua River end of the park. The folks I talked to who watched the activity said the Ranger did write tickets (possibly they were warnings?) for people not having their stringers tagged. I do know that the store staff have been warning folks that the stringer rules are being enforced and tickets have been written. Bottom line, I do not know what all the differences are between a wildlife code violation and a park rules violation, but I certainly hope the new Ranger can enforce all the rules so everyone has an equal opportunity to fish.

FYI - I know there are Conservation Officers in the park, at least occassionally, as I saw one late last year, in a uniform, cruise through the park in a green pickup/SUV, with lights and attennas that were visible from the stream. About 2 years ago I talked to a Park Ranger in a truck who was observing individuals in the stream with binoculars. When I asked him if he was observing folks cheating on the limits, he said he already had a couple of folks identified who were using the prior day's tags, and he would wait until they came out of the stream before writing them up. So again, I am not sure of the difference between a Ranger and a CO/CA in writing tickets, but personally I think a bit more enforcement would be a good thing.

I agree. More enforcement is always a good thing. I hope the ranger can write tickets like a conservation agent. The more violators chased away the better the experience for the rest of us.

[oneshot]

The Ranger down there is New some say he is an A but so many complain about Laws and Rules not being enforced so the guy is trying to do the Job he was hired to do.

There is also a New Conservation Agent on the river.Me and him have already had a disagreement but I was doing something he had not been trained on,after we figured I was right every thing was cool and we had a good visit.I didn't get upset with him I just realized he was a New guy needing to learn.

I have been personal friends with many agents over the years had them out at my place in the middle of the night until middle of the day trying to catch poachers.I know of one right after he strated he went to check a Guy and the Guy hit him with the Butt of a Shotgun,if the Agent han't been agressive and still kept his cool things could have ended much different other than a arrest.I know one Agent that I've seen all over the State,he has went out of his way to come say Hi to me and ask how me and my family are.

Point is they are just trying to do a Job and if they should give you a Ticket so be it.

oneshot

[oneshot]

I met the new park ranger last weekend. He stopped by our cabin twice to say hi and we chatted with him for awhile. I don't believe he can write up wildlife codes, but seemed like a good guy. I don't think I have ever seen an agent at Bennett. I am sure they are there, but I have not seen one that I can recall.

I know a couple Guys that were down there caught their Limits that morning,there was a couple down there seemed to be taking pictures of each other.But they was working undercover,they took pictures of the Guys.The Guys came back in caught their Limit again that evening,Agent wrot them up a Ticket,they couldn't argue with the Pics.So yes there is Agents in there just not where everyone knows they are there.

oneshot

[stlfisher]

I know a couple Guys that were down there caught their Limits that morning,there was a couple down there seemed to be taking pictures of each other.But they was working undercover,they took pictures of the Guys.The Guys came back in caught their Limit again that evening,Agent wrot them up a Ticket,they couldn't argue with the Pics.So yes there is Agents in there just not where everyone knows they are there.

oneshot

Yeah I figured they were there and undercover...it sounds like enforcement is up...that is always a good thing.